Thank you all for waiting. ^_^ I didn't forget about this I promise.

Ari

It was the night before the wedding and Perna sat on the edge of her bed. Her mother was brushing aromatic oils through her hair so it would shine in the warm, spring sun. "I'm so proud of you darling," her mother whispered softly. She then placed a kiss on Perna's forehead and smiled as she looked into her daughters eyes. "My daughter, you are going to rival the sun's radiance tomorrow. Now get some sleep, tomorrow's a big day."

"Farewell dear mother. Sleep well." Perna replied despondently. "May the stars kiss your eyelids, and may the moon guide your dreams."

Morning seemed to come rapidly, but Peter wasn't there to wake her. He had spent his own night restless. He rose, as always, with the sun for his one moment of solitude, to think about the day before him. Was he really getting married? It seemed almost surreal. Even as a boy he thought about the woman he would someday marry, how he would romance her. But Perna didn't seem to want his romance. From the very beginning, she tried to shun his chivalry. She accepted it now, but it felt force, out of duty. Still she'd fit so well into his arms, on those cool nights spent on the balcony. He remembered fondly, the night she fell asleep on his arms. He'd kissed her eye lids and a small, wistful smile of pure contentment passed her face. But still, he had his doubts. Other times when she was cold, barely letting his hand linger on hers for too long. Was she the one? It didn't make sense, every fiber in his body told him that she would make a good ruler, but why did this feel wrong. Cold feet, it must be cold feet, he was about to make one of the most important decisions for his kingdom. His courts approved of her, so she must be right one.

Peter looked down upon Cair Paravel in the morning light. She looked amazing. Flowers graced the trim of every balcony, and the alter by the water was guided in gold. Red and gold banners, along with the Narnian flag flew high and proud. It was going to be a spectacular event. From a distance Cair Paravel looked like a luminous jewel on the ocean. Peter went down and looked at the case holding the crown for Perna. It was silver and studded with pearls, a wedding gift form the Naiads. Lucy walked up behind him and lifted the crown out of the case. Peter shot her a questioning look.

"It will look lovely on her don't you think?" She asked and Peter nodded. "I'm bringing it up to her bed chambers now, so the dryads can fix Perna's hair around it."

"I can't wait to see it. I'd very much like to go up with you now, to see her." Lucy smiled.

"Tisk tisk, dear brother, you know better, you cannot see the bride until she meets you at the alter. You'll just have to be patient for a change. Now if you'll excuse me Susan and I have work to do." Lucy whisked off as quietly as she entered, a stealthy warrior even outside of battle, and once again Peter found himself alone. Maybe it was time to wake Edmund.

Perna sighed as Lucy came back with her soon to be crown. It was elegant in its simplicity. The workmanship of the silver was beyond anything Perna had ever seen, but this was all getting stifling. She needed some air. Before she knew what she was doing Perna was running full force, outside of the castle walls, and out on to the fields. She found herself surrounded by a herd of sheep, and the Dog that was tending to them.

"Good morning Your Grace," the Dog greeted her. Even though she'd lived among the talking animals for months now, it was still almost unnerving. Part of her desperately wanted to go up and pet the dog. Bury her face in his soft fur and cry. But from everything she'd been taught, it would be very offensive.

"Good morning dear Dog," she replied cordially.

"Are you all right? Exciting day today."

"Yes, I just needed from fresh air."

"Well then, I will leave you to your thoughts. Congratulations on your wedding day Your Grace, soon to be Highness."

The morning was still cool, and the dew was heavy on the grass, but Perna still sat on it anyway. Back home in the mountains her hands would have been stained with berry juice, and her feet black from walking through the fields. The first wheat harvest would be just around the corner, and the oranges, her favorite, would be growing fat on the trees. The sprouting and reaping of the crops would drive her life. She could almost see her father's house and Gaine's board form out in the fields, hooking up the horses. Her wedding to Gaine would never have been this grand. Her dress would probably have been cotton, not silk, and there would have been no fine jewels, or crowns, or titles. That wedding would have been simple and lovely. But now she was about to have a fairy tail wedding. One Bards would sing about for years to come. Yet the only positive feeling she could muster up was, relief. Yes, it must be relief, relief that she was finally going through with her decision, relief that the whole mess with Edmund could no longer be contemplated. Once she was married, she could no longer be tempted by him, she could move on. It took all she had to say no to him that night. When he came to her after the tournament, the look he had was defiant. He had been drinking, blind with love, and was willing to throw his whole life away to delay the inevitable. He was normally so sensible, and this came to her out of no where. As alluring as the proposal was, how could she say yes? It would not only break Edmund's heart in the end, when he lost his family, but Peter's as well. It was a no win situation. As must as she loved Edmund, he was right, they would always have to be one step away from each other. Something about the rich Narnian air gave her strength and a voice in her head told her to go back. She remembered the words that Edmund told her, what seemed like a life time ago, "Knowing you are alive and well, will always give me strength." Even if she couldn't marry him, she could at least have him as her brother. She was still aloud to love him.

Perna made her way back to her apartment and saw her dress laid out on the bed. It was Narnian red, with silver seams and piping. In her vision, where she was she was marrying Gaine, she saw herself in the purest white gown, and flowers in her hair. But in Narnia, white was a color of evil. After the White Witch, the color was reserved for morning, death, and defeat. Susan came in to help her lace up the back.

"Lucy told me you ran out this morning, are you all right? She didn't think it was right to chase you."

"Yes, I just needed a moment to breath."

"This must all be so overwhelming. I hope you're not getting cold feet. You know we are soon to be sisters; you're welcome to confide in me, if you'd like. I've been told I'm a good listener."

"No, no, I'm just, ready to be married. It cannot come fast enough." Susan smiled at the younger woman.

"Look at you, Peter's going to be the envy of the whole world when they see you walk down that aisle." Perna smiled, she really did feel beautiful. She could tell Susan was going to continue the conversation, but a knock on the door kept the words hanging. It was the dryad the help style Perna's hair. A few hours had passed, but finally it seemed all the preparations were underway, and Perna no longer felt pinched or prodded. The whole court yard was filled with friends, distinguish guest, and ambassadors form foreign lands Perna didn't even know existed before. A large ship was moored in the harbor and the riggings were trimmed with flowers. Tomorrow, after the wedding her and Peter were to set off to the Lone Islands for council, Perna's first court as High Princess. Their days at sea would be perfect for their honeymoon together, while still performing all their necessary duties.

Perna felt her father arm tighten on her. The look of pure happiness on his face and he walked her down the aisle made every uncertain thought disappear. She was doing this, first and foremost, for her family. She then looked forward. Peter's back was to her and Edmund was right behind him. He just raised his eyebrow at her as she walked down the aisle, and then nodded his approval. For one moment she imagined it was Edmund she was marrying when she reached the alter. But it was only a fleeting dream when she saw Peter turn and whisper something to Edmund. Edmund's face light up and she knew Peter was smiling even if she couldn't see him.

"Does she look beautiful?" Peter asked. Edmund looked at Perna and he couldn't help beaming.

"My dear brother, she looks lovelier than anyone else here by half, including our dear sisters. Truly bride who is the envy of the kingdom, and you are soon to be, a very lucky man." Peter couldn't help but grin. He had his doubts earlier, but somehow Edmund's words made it seem alright. He was a lucky man to be wedding someone so fiery, and imagine what they're children would look like.

All Edmund could think of was being at the end of the aisle, the woman he loved was walking towards. He knew it should be him. But after she had rejected him that night, once again, he knew he'd have to let her go. She was now his brother wife, definitive and unyielding, he had no other choice.

Perna reached Peter at the alter, and a Centaur stood before them. Peter looked her up and down and let out the breath he'd been holding, since she entered the room.

"You look stunning," he whispered to her. She looked Peter over. He really was the better looking of the two brothers. His normally short, kept beard had been shaved off and his face was completely smooth. Somehow his crown seemed to shine brighter, and his blue eyes glittered with confidence. His tunic matched her dress in color, but his seams and piping shimmered in gold. He looked more grade and regal than she'd ever seen before.

"My King, you look quite handsome your self." She then stole a glance at Edmund, who turned away and feigned interest in the droning ceremony. Peter reached for her hand, and placed a ring on her finger. She heard the Centaur get to her part.

"Duchess Perna of Farmington, Lady of the Mountain, do you promise to love, honor, and obey King Peter, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live." He looked so eager, almost like a small boy. She smiled reassuring at him.

"I do."

"By the grace of the Aslan, and for the citizens of Narnia, I now pronounce you man and wife." Peter held her hand as he leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. Perna found herself returning the kiss with equal passion.